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Bitcoin (BTC) Price Continues To Hit Highs For 2019 On Positive Sentiment

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Continues To Hit Highs For 2019 On Positive Sentiment

May 14, 2019

During the 2017 bullish run, the markets of Bitcoin (BTC) and Altcoins were inversely correlated where one could surge at the expense of the other. Traders and investors used to switch between the two assets and considering there are so many stablecoins nowadays one could assume that the correlation diminished but it has grown stronger than ever.

BTC Up 3% Today

Bitcoin Price has been on the upward trend in recent weeks and it was up 3% on the day during the Asian trading this morning setting a new six month and 2019 high of $6,290. Since breaking the $6,000 barrier yesterday BTC has not dropped and its volume has increased to around $18 billion as it continues to push higher.

Since last Friday Bitcoin has been on the rise gaining 12% to outperform almost all competitors. Following this market dominance, this is the highest BTC has been in the past 17 months at 58.3%.

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Altcoins Continue To Take A Hammering

The 66% surge of bitcoin since the beginning of 2019 has been at the expense of Altcoins which are receiving a beating today. Although Ethereum is still flat its market share has nonetheless dropped below 10%. XRP has been on the fall but Ripple has been increasing its supply and currently it is below $0.30. Most of the major cryptocurrencies have been taking a beating and have dropped between 3% and 8% on the day.

In a tweet Bitcoin trader ‘SalsaTekila’ predicted that Bitcoin price will continue with the upward trend to over $6,400 before experiencing any kind of drop. This was 2018’s most traded price so there is a strong possibility as it is only $150 away from the present prices.

Usually, weekends are sluggish when it comes to crypto trading activity and thus if Bitcoin price remains above $6,000 then more gains should be expected. The crypto market currently looks like the Q3 2017 when BTC surged at altcoins’ expense.

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FCBK Receives Business Enterprise Award

Aug 22, 2017

CERRITOS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–First Choice Bank (OTCQX: FCBK) (the “Bank”) is honored to be recognized once again for the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund’s Business Enterprise Award. The Bank has been a recipient every year since 2011.

Editors Comment : FCBK current ppc is $23.50, with very low daily volume. Don’t expect to see much change over the near future.

The Bank is pleased that its commitment and dedication to financing and supporting community activities, especially for low and moderate income communities, is recognized by the US Treasury Department’s CDFI. The CDFI’s 2016 grant award recognizes and rewards the Bank’s continuing efforts to increase its lending and service activities within the economically distressed communities that the Bank serves.

First Choice Bank is a community focused financial institution serving diverse consumers and commercial clients, as a CDFI bank. Peter Hui, the Bank’s Chairman, said, “We are very proud of all of our efforts to make our community prosper. It is gratifying to receive this award as recognition of that commitment.”

FCBK

ABOUT FIRST CHOICE BANK

First Choice Bank, headquartered in Cerritos, California, is a community focused financial institution, serving diverse consumers and commercial clients and specializing in loans to small businesses, Private Banking clients, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) loans, and commercial real estate loans with a niche in providing finance for the hospitality industry. The Bank is a Preferred Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. Founded in 2005, First Choice Bank has quickly become a leading provider of financial services that enable our customers to grow, maintain strength, and reach unprecedented levels of success. We strive to surpass our clients’ expectations through our efficiency and professionalism and are committed to being “First in Speed, Service, and Solutions.” First Choice Bank stock is traded on the Over the Counter (OTCQX); our Ticker Symbol is FCBK.

The Bank’s web site is www.FirstChoiceBankCA.com.

 

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FFHD Making Investors Happy

Aug 21, 2017

In recent news, FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings (OTCQX: FFHD) or First Atlantic Bank has experienced an uptick in volume. FFHD is a fully reporting holding company for FirstAtlantic Bank, a full service community bank headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. According to their reports, they have $436M in assets, and eight “financial centers” located in eastern Florida. The banking unit has a 5-Star rating from Bauer Financial, Inc. which they claim is the nation’s leading bank rating firm, and a 3-Star rating from Morningstar.

FFHD

There are a few reasons for this volume increase and we’ll get into them in sufficient detail to give the casual investor a likely plan of action. First off, just a few days ago on Ausust 16, 2017 FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings (FFHD) announced a merger with the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) a Delaware corporation headquartered in Alabama. The announcement states that FFHD will continue to operate (and trade) under its own name after the merger is finalized, but the combined institution will reportedly boast approximately $3.1Bn in assets. The parent company of NBC, National Commerce Corporation (NCOM) is listed on NASDAQ.

 

Prior to the merger FFHD stock was trading from $10.40 to $16.85 and according to the terms of the agreement, every share of FFHD stock issued or outstanding prior to the merger will be converted into 0.44 shares of NCC common stock – or – be purchased for $17.25 in cash with a few details pertaining to NCC’s stake in the merger and the effect on outstanding purchase options left to be ironed out in the form of option cancellation and payment of an amount equal to the difference between $17.25 and the option exercise price. For those interested, NCC’s stock has traded between $35.00 and $40.45 through the past three quarters.

NCC has filed a registration statement form S-4 with the SEC to register shares of NCC common stock to be issued to shareholders of FirstAtlantic but FFHD will continue to be operated, managed and traded under its own name for the foreseeable future.

 

The other reasons for the recent uptick include a positive earnings report issued in August and the hire of a new Assistant Vice President.

ffhd

As mentioned previously, FFHD has seen a recent spike in volume. It currently sits at about 95,700, but the 52-week average is still only 7,095. Price as of August 18, a few days after the merger announcement is at $16.76, which is a sharp spike over the previous year, with the price going from around $10 in August of 2016 up to $13.60 a week before the merger.

 

If you’re interested in detailed financial reports and news, these items are available at the company’s website: https://www.firstatlantic.bank/About-Us/Investor-Relations.

 

Based on our analysis, this one is likely to retract just a bit over the next week or so, but a continued steady growth curve topping out at up to $25 within a year or so is definitely not out of the question. Of course, anything could happen including another spike resulting from positive news or greater publicity.

 

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EJF Capital is Buying Phh Corp (NYSE:PHH) Shares

EJF Capital is Buying Phh Corp (NYSE:PHH) Shares

Apr 28, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Phh Corp (NYSE:PHH)
reported that EJF Capital has picked up 5,292,329 of common stock as of 2017-04-28.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by EJF Capital to a total of 5,292,329 representing less than 9.9% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, PHH Corporation is a standalone mortgage company. The Company provides outsourced mortgage banking services to a range of clients, including financial institutions and real estate brokers throughout the United States, and is focused on originating, selling, servicing and subservicing residential mortgage loans through its subsidiary, PHH Mortgage Corporation and its subsidiaries. It operates through two segments: Mortgage Production and Mortgage Servicing. The Mortgage Production segment provides mortgage loan origination services and sells mortgage loans. The Mortgage Servicing segment performs servicing activities for loans originated by the Company and mortgage servicing rights purchased from others, and acts as a subservicer for certain clients that own the underlying mortgage servicing rights. The Mortgage Production segment provides private label mortgage services to financial institutions and real estate brokers, and sources mortgage loans through its retail platform.

A glance at Phh Corp (NYSE:PHH)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 687.74 Million based on 53.60 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $12.90 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2014-08-08, Citadel picked up 6,378 at a purchase price of $23.96. This brings their total holding to 0 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Silver unload 910,000 shares at a sale price of $13.17. This brings their total holding to 4,958,900.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Phh Corp (NYSE:PHH)
as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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Pl Capital is Buying Bankfinancial Corp (NASDAQ:BFIN) Shares

Pl Capital is Buying Bankfinancial Corp (NASDAQ:BFIN) Shares

Apr 27, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bankfinancial Corp (NASDAQ:BFIN) reported that Pl Capital, Llc has picked up 1,378,625 of common stock as of 2017-04-27.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Pl Capital, Llc to a total of 1,378,625 representing less than 7.2% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, BankFinancial Corporation is the bank holding company for BankFinancial, National Association (the Bank). The Bank is a full-service, community-oriented national bank principally engaged in the business of commercial, family and personal banking. The Bank offers its customers a range of loan, deposit and other financial products and services through its full-service Illinois-based banking offices located in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will Counties, and through its Internet branch, www.bankfinancial.com. As of December 31, 2016, the Bank had 19 full-service Illinois-based banking offices. The Bank also offers its customers a range of financial products and services that are related or ancillary to loans and deposits, including cash management, funds transfers, bill payment, and other online and mobile banking transactions, automated teller machines, safe deposit boxes, trust services, wealth management and general insurance agency services.

A glance at Bankfinancial Corp (NASDAQ:BFIN)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 284.90 Million based on 18.38 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $14.74 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2013-06-19, Oneill picked up 100 at a purchase price of $8.16. This brings their total holding to 100 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Manos unload 300 shares at a sale price of $14.60. This brings their total holding to 41,904.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Bankfinancial Corp (NASDAQ:BFIN) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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Timyan Philip is Buying Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC) Shares

Timyan Philip is Buying Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC) Shares

Apr 19, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC) reported that Timyan Philip J has picked up 436,780 of common stock as of 2017-04-19.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Timyan Philip J to a total of 436,780 representing a 5.39% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, Community West Bancshares is a bank holding company. The Company provides full-service banking through its subsidiary, Community West Bank, N.A. (the Bank). Through the Bank, the Company provides a range of financial products and services to customers, including lending and deposit products. The Company focuses on professionals, small to mid-sized businesses and individual households. Relationship banking is conducted at the community level through approximately five branch offices in the cities of Goleta, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura and Westlake Village, California and a loan production office in San Luis Obispo. The Company’s products and services include deposit products, such as checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and fixed rate, fixed maturity certificates of deposits, and lending products, including commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and consumer loans.

A glance at Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 81.84 Million based on 8.10 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $10.10 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2017-03-10, Filippin picked up 500 at a purchase price of $10.25. This brings their total holding to 6,711 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Peeples unload 54,007 shares at a sale price of $8.20. This brings their total holding to 950,315.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Community West Bancshares (NASDAQ:CWBC) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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Guess who picked Independent Bank Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX) Shares

Guess who picked Independent Bank Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX) Shares

Apr 11, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Independent Bank Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX) reported that Lee Thomas H has picked up 1,933,495 of common stock as of 2017-04-11.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Lee Thomas H to a total of 1,933,495 representing a 7.0% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, Independent Bank Group, Inc. is a bank holding company. Through the Company’s subsidiary, Independent Bank (the Bank), the Company provides a range of commercial banking products and services tailored to meet the needs of businesses, professionals and individuals. As of December 31, 2016, the Company operated 41 banking offices in the Dallas/North Texas area, the Austin/Central Texas area, and the Houston metropolitan area. The Company offers residential mortgages through its mortgage brokerage division. As a mortgage broker, the Company originates residential mortgages, which are sold into the secondary market shortly after closing. The Company also provides wealth management services to its customers, including investment advisory and other related services. The Company offers a range of commercial and retail lending products to businesses, professionals and individuals. Deposits are the Company’s principal source of funds for use in lending and other general banking purposes.

A glance at Independent Bank Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 1.68 Billion based on 27.73 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $61.15 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2016-05-13, Radke picked up 4,000 at a purchase price of $33.86. This brings their total holding to 14,000 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Smith unload 10,000 shares at a sale price of $66.30. This brings their total holding to 90,151.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Independent Bank Group Inc. (NASDAQ:IBTX) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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Guesss Who Picked Up Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE:HLI) Shares

Guesss Who Picked Up Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE:HLI) Shares

Apr 7, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE:HLI) reported that Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. has picked up 1,238,818 of common stock as of 2017-04-07.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. to a total of 1,238,818 representing a 5.9481% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. is a global independent investment bank that focuses on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), financings, financial restructurings and financial advisory services. The Company operates through three segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring and Financial Advisory Services. The Company serves a set of clients across the world, including corporations, financial sponsors and government agencies. The Company provides financial professionals with an integrated platform that enables them to deliver advice to its clients. The Company also offers intellectual property advisory services. The Corporate Finance activities include two categories: M&A and capital markets advisory. The Financial Advisory Services segment includes financial opinions, and a range of valuation and financial consulting services in the United States. The Financial Restructuring segment provides advice to debtors and creditors in connection with recapitalization/deleveraging transactions.

A glance at Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE:HLI)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 2.30 Billion based on 12.83 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $33.63 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2017-02-12, Schriesheim picked up 4,870 at a purchase price of $30.73. This brings their total holding to 16,361 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Beiser unload 11,029 shares at a sale price of $29.05. This brings their total holding to 0.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE:HLI) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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Guess Who Picked Up 1St Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ:FCCY) Shares

Guess Who Picked Up 1St Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ:FCCY) Shares

Apr 5, 2017

In a just published Form 13, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), 1St Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ:FCCY) reported that Mangano Robert F has picked up 506,207 of common stock as of 2017-04-05.

The acquisition brings the aggregate amount owned by Mangano Robert F to a total of 506,207 representing a 6.3% stake in the company.

For those not familiar with the company, 1st Constitution Bancorp is the bank holding company for 1st Constitution Bank (the Bank). The Bank is a commercial bank, which is engaged in the business of commercial and retail banking. The Company operates through the Community Banking segment. The Community Banking segment consists of construction, commercial, retail and mortgage banking operations. As a community bank, the Bank offers a range of services (including demand, savings and time deposits and commercial and consumer/installment loans) to individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations principally in the Fort Lee area of Bergen County and in Middlesex, Mercer, Somerset and Monmouth Counties of New Jersey. The Bank’s Mortgage Warehouse Funding Group offers revolving lines of credit that are available to licensed mortgage banking companies (the Warehouse Line of Credit). The Bank’s investment activities are classified as available for sale and held to maturity securities.

A glance at 1St Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ:FCCY)’s key stats reveals a current market capitalization of 146.49 Million based on 8.03 Million shares outstanding and a price at last close of $18.25 per share.

Looking at insider activity, there are a few transactions worth noting.

Specifically, on 2017-03-02, Barrett picked up 100 at a purchase price of $18.68. This brings their total holding to 100 as of the date of the filing.

On the sell side, the most recent transaction saw Tartaglia unload 500 shares at a sale price of $16.27. This brings their total holding to 20,868.

It’s possible to gauge a company’s potential by tracking the activity of its major holders, as well as checking in on insider activity such as those transactions listed above. We’ll be keeping an eye on 1St Constitution Bancorp (NASDAQ:FCCY) as things move forward to see if its progress aligns with these transactions.

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